Skywatchers from the UK to Poland were captivated by a striking blue spiral illuminating the night sky on Monday (March 24), later identified by officials as the result of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from the United States. The UK’s Met Office explained that the dazzling display likely stemmed from the rocket’s “frozen exhaust plume… spinning in the atmosphere and reflecting sunlight,” creating the otherworldly effect.
The unusual phenomenon lit up social media across Europe, leaving people in France, Germany, Denmark, and beyond intrigued by the enigmatic swirling pattern. Experts confirmed it was tied to the SpaceX rocket, quelling the flurry of curiosity and theories sparked by the glowing spectacle. Photos and videos shared online showcased a radiant, whirlpool-like vision stretching from England to Eastern Europe, with witnesses noting it lingered for several minutes before dissipating.
SpaceX effect: Illuminated swirl in the sky
Later, the UK Met Office took to social media to address the flood of reports: “We’ve received many accounts of an illuminated swirl in the sky this evening. This is likely linked to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launched earlier today.” A subsequent post, cited by Accuweather, elaborated: “A mesmerizing blue spiral appeared in Europe’s night sky, caused by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The effect likely came from the rocket’s frozen exhaust plume spinning and reflecting sunlight, forming a spiral.”
University of Manchester physicist Brian Cox weighed in on social media, saying, “For everyone wondering about the odd spiral shape in the sky earlier — it was tied to this launch,” pointing to a post with rocket footage for context.
Launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, earlier this week, the Falcon 9 — part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX fleet — reportedly carried a classified U.S. government payload. The vivid spiral emerged when frozen fuel from the rocket’s upper stage was released, catching sunlight at high altitude to create the luminous show.
Such spirals aren’t entirely new — a similar sighting is said to have occurred over Europe in March 2024 following another Falcon 9 mission, hinting at a recurring cosmic signature of SpaceX launches.
